Bogus Weather Hype

"Morgans" wrote in message
...

I drove for many years in Ohio snow with little problems in the snow, but
I
have discovered that "all snow is not created equal". It is really
wicked,
most of the time, around here.

Amen. Forgive me while I get something off my chest....

I get irritated with folks who move here (NC) from more snow ridden areas
and make fun of the local population's ability to cope with the "wintery
mix". They make fun until we get snow and they realize that the roads don't
get plowed around here. They don't get salted in a timely manner either.
Then the snow turns to ice and, I don't care where you came from, you can't
drive safely on ice. Winter storms in NC really are something to take
seriously. Many times, we only get the ice. Ice storms REALLY suck because
we usually lose power and the roads are simply impassable.

Admittedly, lots of times, we don't get a lot of snow and it is really easy
to get around in what does fall. But you would be amazed at how many people
wreck around here in light snow and ice. Most of the wrecks are
multi-vehicle accidents so you have to reason that if you go driving, you
stand a chance of getting nailed through no fault of your own. That's the
point that I try to drive home to the folks who like to make fun. *You* may
be able to drive in the snow, but it's not much help when your on-coming
traffic is a conversion van that's careening out of control (personal
experience here).

Many of my friends, neighbors, and co-workers are from up north. After a
couple of winters here, NONE of them make fun anymore.

The key to dealing with winter in NC is to treat snow as a good thing. We
don't get it often, it's pretty, and it doesn't stay long. If work isn't
cancelled, I tell my boss that I'll be in late (after all the wrecks are
cleared out).

A good snow in NC is God's way of telling everyone to chill, sit by the fire
and have a hot chocolate.

-Trent
PP-ASEL

P.S. Ice storms come from Satan

Reporting from the northern reaches of California's Mojave Desert,
35°48' N by 117°41' W. Local airport is IYK (Inyokern).
The snow started about 7AM local, this morning. It is 10:30 and we have
accumulated 1.75 inches, as measured on my courtyard. Temperature has risen
from 33.2F (at 7AM) to 35.4F just now. Visibility is more than two miles.
So far, the schools have closed and the children all sent home. The
Naval Air Warfare Center has declared administrative leave for all but
critical infrastructure personnel. My cat absolutely refuses to go outside.
The weather forecasters are predicting perhaps five inches. And, I just
watched one intrepid motorist rumbling by with chains on all four tires.

I understand and agree with Trent's trepidation -- for his area. But I also
think the people who express hyper-anxiety need to get a grip. Chains, for
crying out loud! By mid-afternoon here, the streets will be clear. The sun
will be shining. The kids will have had a great time. The government
employees can kick back and watch the soaps. Me, I'm gonna brew another pot
of coffee.

Trent Moorehead wrote:

I get irritated with folks who move here (NC) from more snow ridden areas
and make fun of the local population's ability to cope with the "wintery
mix".

Agree. I grew up in East Tennessee and learned to drive there. I drove more in
snow when I lived there than a typical New Jersey native will drive in his
entire life. If the plows aren't on the road shortly after the first flake hits
up here, everybody starts complaining.

George Patterson
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.